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February 22, 2014, Karen G., ISB
Sophie's Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller
On a trip to the farmers' market with her parents, Sophie chooses a squash, but instead of letting her mom cook it, she names it Bernice. From then on, Sophie brings Bernice everywhere, despite her parents' gentle warnings that Bernice will begin to rot. As winter nears, Sophie does start to notice changes.... What's a girl to do when the squash she loves is in trouble?
With absolutely delightful text by Pat Zietlow Miller and downright hilarious illustrations from Anne Wilsdorf, Sophie's Squash will be a fresh addition to any collection of autumn books. Sparky by Jenny Offill
Preschool-Grade 1. Here's how it starts:“I wanted a pet.” The narrator’s mother agrees, “as long as it doesn’t need to be walked, bathed or fed.” A librarian helps narrow her choices to a field of one: “Sloths are the laziest animal in the world.” After its arrival, our narrator hopefully names her sloth Sparky, but alas, he is as described in books. Sparky’s owner doesn’t mind too much until provoked by überachiever Mary Potts, who informs her that not only does she have a cat that dances but also a parrot that knows 20 words. What’s a sloth owner to do? Put on a show, promising “countless tricks” from Sparky! One of the wonderful things about this book is that there is no surprise ending. A sloth is a sloth. The show is as deadly dull as one would—or should—expect. But from that sad little event comes a moment of love so pure and elemental that it will affect readers of all ages. Offill and Appelhans have created quite a perfect package. The text is spare yet amusing and full of important messages presented in the most subtle of ways. Appelhans, whose career up to now has been in animated films such as Coraline, is a revelation. The enticing watercolor-and-pencil art, mostly in soft shades of browns and burgundies and featuring the artist’s hand lettering, captures a range of emotions, at least from the humans. Furry, flat-nosed Sparky, on the other hand, just is, and that, as it turns out, is enough.
January 28, 2014- Anne B. - ISB
February 11, 2014- Michelle R. Nanjing International School
More by I.C. Springman (2012) Boston : Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2012 A team of well-intentioned mice saves a friend from hoarding too much stuff. Ideal for discussions around needs and wants, accumulation of material possessions and simplification of life. SLJ starred.
The Hueys and the New Sweater by Oliver Jeffers (2012). New York: Philomel Books
The small and mischievous creatures known as the Hueys all look and behave in the exact same way, and when one decides it wants to be different and knits a sweater, the others decide they want to be different and knit sweaters that look exactly the same. Ideal for discussions surrounding conformity, individuality and being your own person. Booklist starred.
How To by Julie Morstad (2013). Vancouver: Simply Read Books (Canada) A bunch of children do different things, such as how to wonder, how to feel the breeze, and how to feel brave. Exquisite art, simple and reflective text. SLJ starred, Kirkus starred.
The Things I Can Do by Jeff Mack (2013)New York, N.Y. : Roaring Brook Press, 2013 A boy shows a book he has made about all of the things he can do for himself, from making his own lunch to fixing his own toys.
January 29, 2014 - John B WAB - Herman and Rosie - Author/Illustrator: Gus Gordon [Australian] "Readers of all ages will fall for Herman and Rosie from the start, and Gordon knows how to keep the dramatic and romantic tension just taut enough to keep the pages turning toward their inevitable meeting."--Publishers Weekly, starred review ; "Not since Petra Mathers’s Sophie and Lou (2001) has a picture book, the arts, and romance converged so charmingly." - Booklist, starred review ; "In bustling New York, anthropomorphic croc Herman and Rosie (a goat?) inhabit parallel lives until they discover they’re soul mates . . . Sweetly celebrates artistic bonding in the Big Apple." -- Kirkus Reviews
January 29, 2014 - John B WAB -Don’t Let a Spoonbill in the KitchenAuthor/Illustrator:Narelle Oliver[Australian] ISBN: 978-1862919310 Publisher:Omnibus Books Scholastic Australia, April 2013
A successful fusion of fact and fiction, and of nature and nonsense, that results in an extraordinarily entertaining read. The book is an absolute feast for the eyes, which starts at the cover and becomes more appealing when you open to the endpapers . The book is full of rich, eye-catching, textured images that Narelle has created using a combination of linocut art, cut paper, photographic elements and bright colours. The book takes on a recurring structure, where over the course of the book 6 different bird species are introduced to the reader. ~Jackie Small
Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Beige Crayon is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown Crayon. Black wants to be used for more than just outlining. Blue needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun.
Are you bored with being so proper?Do you want to have more fun? Mr. Tiger knows exactly how you feel. So he decides to go wild. But does he go too far?
Ever since Unicorn moved into the neighborhood, Goat has been feeling out of sorts. Goat thought his bike was cool-until he saw that Unicorn could fly to school! Goat made marshmallow squares that almost came out right, but Unicorn made it rain cupcakes! Unicorn is such a show-off, how can Goat compete? When Goat and Unicorn share a piece of pizza, Goat learns that being a unicorn might not be all it's cracked up to be. And when Unicorn shows his admiration for Goat, it looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
**Joe and Sparky Go to School** by __Jamie Michalak__ and Frank RemkiewicSparky the turtle may be cautious, but when the strange vehicle full of noisy short people pulls away from Safari World, he finds himself stuck on the bus’s roof just the same. Luckily his giraffe friend, Joe, is adventurous enough to take a running jump, too! When they arrive at school, they discover that there’s a lot to learn, like the fact that the restroom is full of little magic "ponds," that you’re supposed to count the peas, not eat them, and that the goal of the day seems to be to get a star. But just when Joe fears that he may have to go home starless, Sparky reminds him of all the ways that his loyal friend already shines. Readers will roll over laughing — and find lots to relate to — in this hilarious new adventure.
Young children will delight in repeating the refrain "OH, NO!" as one animal after another falls into a deep, deep hole in this lively read-aloud. This simple and irresistible picture book by hugely popular picture book creators—Candace Fleming and Caldecott medalist Eric Rohmann—feels like a classic-in-the-making. Fans of Rohmann's Caldecott Medal-winning My Friend Rabbit, will be thrilled to see a new book created in the same expressive and comical style.
Rabbit is excited: his friend Robot is coming to spend the night! Rabbit has left nothing to chance and has drawn up a list of all the things they will do. First off is making pizza, but Robot only likes nuts and bolts and screws on top (good thing he has magnetic hands). Next on the list is watching TV, but the remote is missing, and Rabbit is panicking! Will Robot find a logical (and rather obvious) solution to the problem? Number three is . . . uh-oh! Why is Robot lying down instead of playing Go Fish? And what is that message reading "BAT" printing out from a slot on his front? New readers who like silly stories will race through this funny adventure about a rabbit who likes to be in control and an obliging robot who calmly keeps their friendship humming.
A lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and through it escapes into a world where wonder, adventure, and danger abound. Red marker in hand, she creates a boat, a balloon, and a flying carpet that carry her on a spectacular journey toward an uncertain destiny. When she is captured by a sinister emperor, only an act of tremendous courage and kindness can set her free. Can it also lead her home and to her heart’s desire? With supple line, luminous color, and nimble flights of fancy, author-illustrator Aaron Becker launches an ordinary child on an extraordinary journey toward her greatest and most exciting adventure of all.
Boy + Bot by Dyckman, Ame
But when Bot gets switched off, Boy thinks he's sick. The usual remedies—applesauce, reading a story—don't help, so Boy tucks the sick Bot in, then falls asleep. Bot is worried when he powers on and finds his friend powered off. He takes Boy home with him and tries all his remedies: oil, reading an instruction manual. Nothing revives the malfunctioning Boy! Can the Inventor help fix him? Using the perfect blend of sweetness and humor, this story of an adorable duo will win the hearts of the very youngest readers.
Toys in Spaceby Grey, Mini
That summer night, the toys were left outside. . . . For the very first time, the Wonderdoll, the helpful wind-up robot, the thoughtful green dinosaur, and the rest of their plucky gang lie in the grass, gazing up at the stars. But one star seems brighter than the rest. As it grows bigger and bigger, the toys realize it may not be a star at all! Soon they're venturing into the unknown, traveling by spaceship, where they meet a lonely alien in need of help, and some friends. From ever-inventive, award-winning author-illustrator Mini Grey comes a hilarious and heartfelt new adventure: a motley group of toys left outside in the garden become true friends and brave heroes--in space!
January 28, 2014 - Karen G. - ISB: Miss Maples Seeds by Eliza Wheeler. (goes with everyone's plant units and lovely art)
Preschool-Grade 1. Miss Maple, a tiny woman, lives in a snug house high up in a maple tree. During the summer, she flies off on a bird’s back and gathers “orphan seeds.” Keeping them safe through the winter snows and spring rains, she nurtures them in her home, takes them on field trips, and reads them stories each night. In May, Miss Maple puts her seeds into little baskets and sends them floating through the air or down the river to take root and grow. The clean, fluid lines and lovely shading of the ink-and-watercolor artwork gives the book a beguiling look that will go a long way toward charming parents as well as children. But for all the graceful fantasy depicted in this cozy woodland setting, kids may well linger longest on the page that realistically depicts and labels 20 seeds, ranging in size from raspberry to apple to pea to pumpkin to acorn. For classroom units, this picture book could add a fanciful counterpoint to more down-to-earth books on seeds.
Preschool-Kindergarten. This visual treat of a book follows Papa Bear and Little Bear on an adventure from the countryside to a bustling city. Papa Bear is hibernating in the forest, toes up and round belly on full display. Little Bear, however, is too caught up in honey thoughts to worry about winter approaching, and a sort of buzzing beckons him out of the forest. He’s hot on the heels of a bee. Call it intuition, but Papa Bear wakes suddenly wondering where his little cub has scampered off to and he sets off at a trot through the forest. This is the premise, and it’s simple enough, right? But no—French author and illustrator Chaud wends us through intricate scenes, first populated with all kinds of animals and trees, then cityscapes filled with people, so bustling and charmingly detailed that the eye, happily, doesn’t know where to land first. It’s Where’s Waldo?, Little Bear–style. Chaud, however, knows when to pause for effect, as during Papa Bear’s rousing solo at the Opera House, where Little Bear has arrived. The pictures really do tell the story here; the words seem almost unnecessary. With a distinctive art style, large vertical trim size, and expressive characters—from bear to opera-goer—this is a book not to be missed. Encore!
Beetles by Mari Schuh. (nonfiction; great cover)
Booklist (December 15, 2013 (Vol. 110, No. 8))
Preschool-Grade 1. It’s an insect-eat-insect world out there, as proven by the Insect World series. While each title covers similar information, they are not simply a repetition of interchangeable facts. Instead, each book’s short, clear, yet engaging text takes an approach individual to its titular bug. After noting typical physical characteristics, Beetles looks at several distinct kinds of beetles and their special qualities, from the stag beetle with large jaws to the dung beetle (“I eat poop!”). The series’ greatest strength rests in the high-quality color photos that invite follow-up questions: Are some ladybugs black? How can that ant carry something so big? Each book concludes with the insect’s parts labeled and a picture glossary.
Xander's Panda Party by Linda Sue Park (China connection)
Horn Book (September/October, 2013)
Plans for a modest fete grow increasingly tangled for Xander, the lone panda at the zoo, as his guest list expands from bears-only to include other mammals, birds, and reptiles. Liberal use of internal rhyme -- "Xander felt a little blue. He chewed bamboo, a stalk or two" -- makes Park's text sing as it relates how Xander tackles each new challenge. At first he's pragmatic. When, for instance, Koala informs him that she's not a bear but a marsupial, Xander calmly ponders the situation and decides to invite all zoo dwellers with "fur or hair or hide." But by the time the crocodile asks to slip into the mix, the panda's a wreck. Phelan's sprightly ink and watercolor illustrations show Xander spinning until he's prostrate, convinced his party will balloon out of control. Happily, a resourceful salamander steps up to help, and then a last-minute surprise guest turns the affair into a true celebration. Park's extensive author's note on pandas and other animals mentioned in the text seems like pedagogical overkill, but it does provide interesting further context for her characters.
This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers
Kirkus Reviews (October 15, 2012)
Moose are not necessarily the best pets--except when it really matters. Wilfred carefully teaches his moose, whom he names Marcel, all the rules for being a good pet. Marcel follows some of them. He knows to be quiet when Wilfred is listening to music, for example, but sometimes he roams too far from home. Still, Marcel is a good companion, providing shelter in the rain and reaching high into trees for fruit. Then calamity strikes. Wilfred discovers that Marcel actually belongs to another, causing Wilfred to run home in anger and get lost. To the rescue comes Marcel the moose, strutting nobly on his four thin but strong legs. The boy learns a valuable lesson about wild animals: "[P]erhaps...he'd never really owned the moose anyway." Jeffers has set his cautionary tale in the beautiful Rocky Mountains using "a mishmash of oil painting onto old linotype and painted landscapes and a bit of technical wizardry thrown into the mix." The result is an eye-catching and imaginative book with illustrations that vary from close-ups of the imposing moose against a white background to landscapes of the moose standing tall in his very own Albert Bierstadt painting. Pet lovers and nature lovers alike will enjoy this offbeat and entertaining tale.
Going Up! Elisha Otis's Trip to the Top by Monica Kulling. (non-fiction)
Kirkus Reviews (September 15, 2012)
A buoyant if free-wheeling tribute to Otis--inventor not of elevators themselves, but of a safety brake that eased public fears of riding in them. Intent on telling a colorful tale rather than a systematic one, Kulling injects more anachronisms (of an early inspiration, circa 1845: "Betsy could almost see the lightbulb over her husband's head") and invented dialogue into her account than dates or other specific details. She follows her subject from delightedly watching a hoist drop a load of hay during his Vermont childhood to a dramatically staged demonstration of his safety brake at New York's 1854 World's Fair. This is sandwiched between a poem on "Elevator Etiquette" and a quick closing wrap-up that serves in place of any source notes or other backmatter. In his realistic, fine-lined illustrations, Parkins both enhances the sense of period and supplies the only hints of how Otis' invention actually worked. He captures the narrative's broad, high-energy tone in images of the inventor with eyes bulging, mouth wide open and arms flung out wildly during various Eureka! moments. Not much for school-report fodder, but in the annals of American invention, Otis definitely rates the attention this profile (the first separate one for young readers since the 1970s) brings him.
The Dark by Lemony Snicket and John Klassen (classic in the making)
Two bestselling, world-renowned talents of children's literature come together for the first time to bring you a universal and empowering story about conquering fear of the dark.
Building Our House by Jonathan Bean. (on all the booklists for notable)
Horn Book starred (Fall 2013)
Bean draws on childhood memories to demonstrate the process of building a house, DIY-style. A little girl narrates the engaging and warm account; the steps are broken down into captions for half-page panels, while moments of greater import, such as setting the corners for the foundation, receive full- and double-page spreads. Family and friends make not just a house but a cozy home.
Who Put the Cookies in the Cookie Jar? by George Shannon (multicultural lit)
Kirkus Reviews (February 1, 2013)
Shannon and Paschkis provide a charming multicultural answer to the title question, creating in the process a confection that, while it may be most appreciated by socially conscious adults, will tempt young appetites as well. The brief text is composed of rhyming couplets that appear as two phrases on facing pages or as several short sentences across multiple pages or double-page spreads. The actions described may be quite different, but many of the simple sentences start the same way, keeping the focus squarely on the workers and their contributions: "Hands that make the cookie sheet"; "Hands that feed and milk the cow." While some of the locations may seem exotic, the mother and child busy baking in their cozy kitchen will be familiar to many young readers. Paschkis' folk-art--inspired gouache illustrations suit the simple language and the sentiment conveyed perfectly. Brightly colored, graphically appealing cookies on the cover invite readers to sample the story within, while the repeating motifs of sunshine, flowers, birds and butterflies that decorate the cookie jar appear again dancing in the blue sky and decorating the fertile land. Shannon ends with a recipe for sugar cookies, just in case readers are inspired to bake a few themselves. Purposive but pleasing, this gentle lesson in diversity, diligence and the dignity of hard work offers an appealing balance of art and information.
How Martha Saved Her Parents from Green Beans by David LaRochelle (author is willing to come to China)
Kirkus Reviews (March 15, 2013)
A little girl who never eats green beans resorts to extreme measures when a mob of rogue beans kidnaps her parents in this twisted take on cleaning your plate. Martha's parents serve green beans for dinner every Tuesday and always tell her how good they are for her. But Martha knows green beans are really bad. "Very bad." She's vindicated when a "gang of mean green beans," with "black beady eyes and long curly mustaches" and wearing "cowboy hats and sharp pointy boots," swaggers into town, terrorizing anyone who's ever advocated eating green beans. After the dastardly beans kidnap her parents, Martha's initially elated to be on her own, but by morning, she misses them. When she finds the beans holding her parents hostage, Martha threatens to eat the beans if they won't let her parents go. The beans don't take Martha seriously, as she's never eaten a green bean in her life. Will Martha hold her nose and eat the beans, or will she let the bad beans rule? Dramatically comic illustrations rely on bold colors as well as exaggerated gestures and facial expressions to heighten the absurd. With their silly black hats, boots, mustaches and eyes, the spindly green beans actually do look menacing enough to steal the show. A must for picky eaters
Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great by Bob Shea
Once again, Shea (Dinosaur vs. Bedtime, rev. 9/08; Dinosaur vs. the Potty, rev. 1/11) tackles a difficult childhood emotion -- jealousy -- with humor while also recognizing its complexity. Goat begins the book by telling us, "Things are a lot different around here since that Unicorn moved in. I thought I was pretty cool when I rode my bike to school. Until that show-off went flying by!" Unicorn, the shiny newcomer, seems to be better at everything, and when Goat's admiring chorus of five small creatures shifts its allegiance to the sparkling, magical Unicorn, Goat gets really, really angry. Just when you think you know where this is headed, Shea swerves from the predictable path with some age-appropriate silliness involving Unicorn's jealousy of Goat's goat-cheese pizza. By the end of the book Goat and Unicorn have become buddies with complementary skill sets. Shea's cartoon illustrations use a bright and varied palette and employ his signature minimalist style, while exaggerated facial expressions emphasize the difference between the central characters: Goat's matter-of-fact grumpiness and Unicorn's wide-eyed sparkliness. To emphasize their differences further, Goat's narrative is shown in an old-fashioned typewriter font, while Unicorn gets a curvy sans serif in various colors. Shea's honest portrayal of negative emotions mixed with offbeat comedy should make this a winner.
Papa's Mechanical Fish by Candace Fleming
Young Virena, one of four children, provides inspiration for her aspiring inventor papa's latest ambitious construction: a submarine. Fleming bases her tale on the true story of Civil War--era inventor Lodner Phillips, who tried his hand at submarine design on the shores of Lake Michigan. In Fleming's lively, enthusiastic account, Papa builds three increasingly large and more complicated underwater vehicles, each of which sinks, with Papa emerging cheerfully, if damply, ready for the next round. As Virena muses on the nature of marine life, providing Papa with ideas for improvements, the baby interjects disarmingly funny comments: "No pee pee!" chortles the baby when Virena asks how fish stay dry. The Whitefish IV has room for everyone, and Papa puts his entire family into the contraption--somehow the cheerful presentation keeps readers from worrying about the outcome. Kulikov's expansive, comical illustrations offer exaggerated perspectives from above and below the deep blue-green water, huge and beautiful fish just under the surface and a loving family for the determined inventor. Blueprints for each version of the mechanical fish are included--a neat glimpse into the invention process--while the peculiarly human expressions on the family bulldog remind readers that this is a fantasy. An author's note and an extensive list of adult resources give background information about the real Lodner Phillips. A humorous tribute to the zany, determined and innovative side of invention.
How to post a nomination
February 22, 2014, Karen G., ISB
Sophie's Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller
On a trip to the farmers' market with her parents, Sophie chooses a squash, but instead of letting her mom cook it, she names it Bernice. From then on, Sophie brings Bernice everywhere, despite her parents' gentle warnings that Bernice will begin to rot. As winter nears, Sophie does start to notice changes.... What's a girl to do when the squash she loves is in trouble?
With absolutely delightful text by Pat Zietlow Miller and downright hilarious illustrations from Anne Wilsdorf, Sophie's Squash will be a fresh addition to any collection of autumn books.
Sparky by Jenny Offill
Booklist starred (February 1, 2014 (Vol. 110, No. 11))
Preschool-Grade 1. Here's how it starts:“I wanted a pet.” The narrator’s mother agrees, “as long as it doesn’t need to be walked, bathed or fed.” A librarian helps narrow her choices to a field of one: “Sloths are the laziest animal in the world.” After its arrival, our narrator hopefully names her sloth Sparky, but alas, he is as described in books. Sparky’s owner doesn’t mind too much until provoked by überachiever Mary Potts, who informs her that not only does she have a cat that dances but also a parrot that knows 20 words. What’s a sloth owner to do? Put on a show, promising “countless tricks” from Sparky! One of the wonderful things about this book is that there is no surprise ending. A sloth is a sloth. The show is as deadly dull as one would—or should—expect. But from that sad little event comes a moment of love so pure and elemental that it will affect readers of all ages. Offill and Appelhans have created quite a perfect package. The text is spare yet amusing and full of important messages presented in the most subtle of ways. Appelhans, whose career up to now has been in animated films such as Coraline, is a revelation. The enticing watercolor-and-pencil art, mostly in soft shades of browns and burgundies and featuring the artist’s hand lettering, captures a range of emotions, at least from the humans. Furry, flat-nosed Sparky, on the other hand, just is, and that, as it turns out, is enough.
January 28, 2014- Anne B. - ISB
February 11, 2014- Michelle R. Nanjing International School
More by I.C. Springman (2012) Boston : Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2012
A team of well-intentioned mice saves a friend from hoarding too much stuff. Ideal for discussions around needs and wants, accumulation of material possessions and simplification of life. SLJ starred.
The Hueys and the New Sweater by Oliver Jeffers (2012). New York: Philomel Books
The small and mischievous creatures known as the Hueys all look and behave in the exact same way, and when one decides it wants to be different and knits a sweater, the others decide they want to be different and knit sweaters that look exactly the same. Ideal for discussions surrounding conformity, individuality and being your own person. Booklist starred.How To by Julie Morstad (2013). Vancouver: Simply Read Books (Canada)
A bunch of children do different things, such as how to wonder, how to feel the breeze, and how to feel brave.
Exquisite art, simple and reflective text. SLJ starred, Kirkus starred.
A boy shows a book he has made about all of the things he can do for himself, from making his own lunch to fixing his own toys.
January 29, 2014 - John B WAB - Herman and Rosie - Author/Illustrator: Gus Gordon [Australian]
"Readers of all ages will fall for Herman and Rosie from the start, and Gordon knows how to keep the dramatic and romantic tension just taut enough to keep the pages turning toward their inevitable meeting."--Publishers Weekly, starred review ;
"Not since Petra Mathers’s Sophie and Lou (2001) has a picture book, the arts, and romance converged so charmingly." - Booklist, starred review ;
"In bustling New York, anthropomorphic croc Herman and Rosie (a goat?) inhabit parallel lives until they discover they’re soul mates . . . Sweetly celebrates artistic bonding in the Big Apple." -- Kirkus Reviews
January 29, 2014 - John B WAB - Don’t Let a Spoonbill in the Kitchen Author/Illustrator: Narelle Oliver [Australian] ISBN: 978-1862919310 Publisher: Omnibus Books Scholastic Australia, April 2013
A successful fusion of fact and fiction, and of nature and nonsense, that results in an extraordinarily entertaining read. The book is an absolute feast for the eyes, which starts at the cover and becomes more appealing when you open to the endpapers . The book is full of rich, eye-catching, textured images that Narelle has created using a combination of linocut art, cut paper, photographic elements and bright colours. The book takes on a recurring structure, where over the course of the book 6 different bird species are introduced to the reader. ~Jackie Small
**The Day the Crayons Quit** by __Drew Daywalt__ and __Oliver Jeffers__
Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Beige Crayon is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown Crayon. Black wants to be used for more than just outlining. Blue needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun.
**Mr. Tiger Goes Wild** by __Peter Brown__
Are you bored with being so proper?Do you want to have more fun? Mr. Tiger knows exactly how you feel. So he decides to go wild. But does he go too far?
**Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great** by __Bob Shea__
Ever since Unicorn moved into the neighborhood, Goat has been feeling out of sorts. Goat thought his bike was cool-until he saw that Unicorn could fly to school! Goat made marshmallow squares that almost came out right, but Unicorn made it rain cupcakes! Unicorn is such a show-off, how can Goat compete? When Goat and Unicorn share a piece of pizza, Goat learns that being a unicorn might not be all it's cracked up to be. And when Unicorn shows his admiration for Goat, it looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
**Joe and Sparky Go to School** by __Jamie Michalak__ and Frank RemkiewicSparky the turtle may be cautious, but when the strange vehicle full of noisy short people pulls away from Safari World, he finds himself stuck on the bus’s roof just the same. Luckily his giraffe friend, Joe, is adventurous enough to take a running jump, too! When they arrive at school, they discover that there’s a lot to learn, like the fact that the restroom is full of little magic "ponds," that you’re supposed to count the peas, not eat them, and that the goal of the day seems to be to get a star. But just when Joe fears that he may have to go home starless, Sparky reminds him of all the ways that his loyal friend already shines. Readers will roll over laughing — and find lots to relate to — in this hilarious new adventure.
Oh, No! by Candace Fleming (Author) , Eric Rohmann (Illustrator)Young children will delight in repeating the refrain "OH, NO!" as one animal after another falls into a deep, deep hole in this lively read-aloud. This simple and irresistible picture book by hugely popular picture book creators—Candace Fleming and Caldecott medalist Eric Rohmann—feels like a classic-in-the-making. Fans of Rohmann's Caldecott Medal-winning My Friend Rabbit, will be thrilled to see a new book created in the same expressive and comical style.
Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover by Cece Bell
Rabbit is excited: his friend Robot is coming to spend the night! Rabbit has left nothing to chance and has drawn up a list of all the things they will do. First off is making pizza, but Robot only likes nuts and bolts and screws on top (good thing he has magnetic hands). Next on the list is watching TV, but the remote is missing, and Rabbit is panicking! Will Robot find a logical (and rather obvious) solution to the problem? Number three is . . . uh-oh! Why is Robot lying down instead of playing Go Fish? And what is that message reading "BAT" printing out from a slot on his front? New readers who like silly stories will race through this funny adventure about a rabbit who likes to be in control and an obliging robot who calmly keeps their friendship humming.
**__Journey__** by Aaron Becker
A lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and through it escapes into a world where wonder, adventure, and danger abound. Red marker in hand, she creates a boat, a balloon, and a flying carpet that carry her on a spectacular journey toward an uncertain destiny. When she is captured by a sinister emperor, only an act of tremendous courage and kindness can set her free. Can it also lead her home and to her heart’s desire? With supple line, luminous color, and nimble flights of fancy, author-illustrator Aaron Becker launches an ordinary child on an extraordinary journey toward her greatest and most exciting adventure of all.
Boy + Bot by Dyckman, Ame
But when Bot gets switched off, Boy thinks he's sick. The usual remedies—applesauce, reading a story—don't help, so Boy tucks the sick Bot in, then falls asleep. Bot is worried when he powers on and finds his friend powered off. He takes Boy home with him and tries all his remedies: oil, reading an instruction manual. Nothing revives the malfunctioning Boy! Can the Inventor help fix him? Using the perfect blend of sweetness and humor, this story of an adorable duo will win the hearts of the very youngest readers.
Toys in Space by Grey, Mini
That summer night, the toys were left outside. . . . For the very first time, the Wonderdoll, the helpful wind-up robot, the thoughtful green dinosaur, and the rest of their plucky gang lie in the grass, gazing up at the stars. But one star seems brighter than the rest. As it grows bigger and bigger, the toys realize it may not be a star at all! Soon they're venturing into the unknown, traveling by spaceship, where they meet a lonely alien in need of help, and some friends. From ever-inventive, award-winning author-illustrator Mini Grey comes a hilarious and heartfelt new adventure: a motley group of toys left outside in the garden become true friends and brave heroes--in space!
January 28, 2014 - Karen G. - ISB: Miss Maples Seeds by Eliza Wheeler. (goes with everyone's plant units and lovely art)
Preschool-Grade 1. Miss Maple, a tiny woman, lives in a snug house high up in a maple tree. During the summer, she flies off on a bird’s back and gathers “orphan seeds.” Keeping them safe through the winter snows and spring rains, she nurtures them in her home, takes them on field trips, and reads them stories each night. In May, Miss Maple puts her seeds into little baskets and sends them floating through the air or down the river to take root and grow. The clean, fluid lines and lovely shading of the ink-and-watercolor artwork gives the book a beguiling look that will go a long way toward charming parents as well as children. But for all the graceful fantasy depicted in this cozy woodland setting, kids may well linger longest on the page that realistically depicts and labels 20 seeds, ranging in size from raspberry to apple to pea to pumpkin to acorn. For classroom units, this picture book could add a fanciful counterpoint to more down-to-earth books on seeds.
The Bear's Song by Benjamin Chaud (French author)
Booklist starred (December 15, 2013 (Vol. 110, No. 8))
Preschool-Kindergarten. This visual treat of a book follows Papa Bear and Little Bear on an adventure from the countryside to a bustling city. Papa Bear is hibernating in the forest, toes up and round belly on full display. Little Bear, however, is too caught up in honey thoughts to worry about winter approaching, and a sort of buzzing beckons him out of the forest. He’s hot on the heels of a bee. Call it intuition, but Papa Bear wakes suddenly wondering where his little cub has scampered off to and he sets off at a trot through the forest. This is the premise, and it’s simple enough, right? But no—French author and illustrator Chaud wends us through intricate scenes, first populated with all kinds of animals and trees, then cityscapes filled with people, so bustling and charmingly detailed that the eye, happily, doesn’t know where to land first. It’s Where’s Waldo?, Little Bear–style. Chaud, however, knows when to pause for effect, as during Papa Bear’s rousing solo at the Opera House, where Little Bear has arrived. The pictures really do tell the story here; the words seem almost unnecessary. With a distinctive art style, large vertical trim size, and expressive characters—from bear to opera-goer—this is a book not to be missed. Encore!Beetles by Mari Schuh. (nonfiction; great cover)
Booklist (December 15, 2013 (Vol. 110, No. 8))
Preschool-Grade 1. It’s an insect-eat-insect world out there, as proven by the Insect World series. While each title covers similar information, they are not simply a repetition of interchangeable facts. Instead, each book’s short, clear, yet engaging text takes an approach individual to its titular bug. After noting typical physical characteristics, Beetles looks at several distinct kinds of beetles and their special qualities, from the stag beetle with large jaws to the dung beetle (“I eat poop!”). The series’ greatest strength rests in the high-quality color photos that invite follow-up questions: Are some ladybugs black? How can that ant carry something so big? Each book concludes with the insect’s parts labeled and a picture glossary.Xander's Panda Party by Linda Sue Park (China connection)
Horn Book (September/October, 2013)
Plans for a modest fete grow increasingly tangled for Xander, the lone panda at the zoo, as his guest list expands from bears-only to include other mammals, birds, and reptiles. Liberal use of internal rhyme -- "Xander felt a little blue. He chewed bamboo, a stalk or two" -- makes Park's text sing as it relates how Xander tackles each new challenge. At first he's pragmatic. When, for instance, Koala informs him that she's not a bear but a marsupial, Xander calmly ponders the situation and decides to invite all zoo dwellers with "fur or hair or hide." But by the time the crocodile asks to slip into the mix, the panda's a wreck. Phelan's sprightly ink and watercolor illustrations show Xander spinning until he's prostrate, convinced his party will balloon out of control. Happily, a resourceful salamander steps up to help, and then a last-minute surprise guest turns the affair into a true celebration. Park's extensive author's note on pandas and other animals mentioned in the text seems like pedagogical overkill, but it does provide interesting further context for her characters.This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers
Kirkus Reviews (October 15, 2012)
Moose are not necessarily the best pets--except when it really matters. Wilfred carefully teaches his moose, whom he names Marcel, all the rules for being a good pet. Marcel follows some of them. He knows to be quiet when Wilfred is listening to music, for example, but sometimes he roams too far from home. Still, Marcel is a good companion, providing shelter in the rain and reaching high into trees for fruit. Then calamity strikes. Wilfred discovers that Marcel actually belongs to another, causing Wilfred to run home in anger and get lost. To the rescue comes Marcel the moose, strutting nobly on his four thin but strong legs. The boy learns a valuable lesson about wild animals: "[P]erhaps...he'd never really owned the moose anyway." Jeffers has set his cautionary tale in the beautiful Rocky Mountains using "a mishmash of oil painting onto old linotype and painted landscapes and a bit of technical wizardry thrown into the mix." The result is an eye-catching and imaginative book with illustrations that vary from close-ups of the imposing moose against a white background to landscapes of the moose standing tall in his very own Albert Bierstadt painting. Pet lovers and nature lovers alike will enjoy this offbeat and entertaining tale.Going Up! Elisha Otis's Trip to the Top by Monica Kulling. (non-fiction)
Kirkus Reviews (September 15, 2012)
A buoyant if free-wheeling tribute to Otis--inventor not of elevators themselves, but of a safety brake that eased public fears of riding in them. Intent on telling a colorful tale rather than a systematic one, Kulling injects more anachronisms (of an early inspiration, circa 1845: "Betsy could almost see the lightbulb over her husband's head") and invented dialogue into her account than dates or other specific details. She follows her subject from delightedly watching a hoist drop a load of hay during his Vermont childhood to a dramatically staged demonstration of his safety brake at New York's 1854 World's Fair. This is sandwiched between a poem on "Elevator Etiquette" and a quick closing wrap-up that serves in place of any source notes or other backmatter. In his realistic, fine-lined illustrations, Parkins both enhances the sense of period and supplies the only hints of how Otis' invention actually worked. He captures the narrative's broad, high-energy tone in images of the inventor with eyes bulging, mouth wide open and arms flung out wildly during various Eureka! moments. Not much for school-report fodder, but in the annals of American invention, Otis definitely rates the attention this profile (the first separate one for young readers since the 1970s) brings him.The Dark by Lemony Snicket and John Klassen (classic in the making)
Two bestselling, world-renowned talents of children's literature come together for the first time to bring you a universal and empowering story about conquering fear of the dark.
Building Our House by Jonathan Bean. (on all the booklists for notable)
Horn Book starred (Fall 2013)
Bean draws on childhood memories to demonstrate the process of building a house, DIY-style. A little girl narrates the engaging and warm account; the steps are broken down into captions for half-page panels, while moments of greater import, such as setting the corners for the foundation, receive full- and double-page spreads. Family and friends make not just a house but a cozy home.Who Put the Cookies in the Cookie Jar? by George Shannon (multicultural lit)
Kirkus Reviews (February 1, 2013)
Shannon and Paschkis provide a charming multicultural answer to the title question, creating in the process a confection that, while it may be most appreciated by socially conscious adults, will tempt young appetites as well. The brief text is composed of rhyming couplets that appear as two phrases on facing pages or as several short sentences across multiple pages or double-page spreads. The actions described may be quite different, but many of the simple sentences start the same way, keeping the focus squarely on the workers and their contributions: "Hands that make the cookie sheet"; "Hands that feed and milk the cow." While some of the locations may seem exotic, the mother and child busy baking in their cozy kitchen will be familiar to many young readers. Paschkis' folk-art--inspired gouache illustrations suit the simple language and the sentiment conveyed perfectly. Brightly colored, graphically appealing cookies on the cover invite readers to sample the story within, while the repeating motifs of sunshine, flowers, birds and butterflies that decorate the cookie jar appear again dancing in the blue sky and decorating the fertile land. Shannon ends with a recipe for sugar cookies, just in case readers are inspired to bake a few themselves. Purposive but pleasing, this gentle lesson in diversity, diligence and the dignity of hard work offers an appealing balance of art and information.How Martha Saved Her Parents from Green Beans by David LaRochelle (author is willing to come to China)
Kirkus Reviews (March 15, 2013)
A little girl who never eats green beans resorts to extreme measures when a mob of rogue beans kidnaps her parents in this twisted take on cleaning your plate. Martha's parents serve green beans for dinner every Tuesday and always tell her how good they are for her. But Martha knows green beans are really bad. "Very bad." She's vindicated when a "gang of mean green beans," with "black beady eyes and long curly mustaches" and wearing "cowboy hats and sharp pointy boots," swaggers into town, terrorizing anyone who's ever advocated eating green beans. After the dastardly beans kidnap her parents, Martha's initially elated to be on her own, but by morning, she misses them. When she finds the beans holding her parents hostage, Martha threatens to eat the beans if they won't let her parents go. The beans don't take Martha seriously, as she's never eaten a green bean in her life. Will Martha hold her nose and eat the beans, or will she let the bad beans rule? Dramatically comic illustrations rely on bold colors as well as exaggerated gestures and facial expressions to heighten the absurd. With their silly black hats, boots, mustaches and eyes, the spindly green beans actually do look menacing enough to steal the show. A must for picky eatersUnicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great by Bob Shea
Once again, Shea (Dinosaur vs. Bedtime, rev. 9/08; Dinosaur vs. the Potty, rev. 1/11) tackles a difficult childhood emotion -- jealousy -- with humor while also recognizing its complexity. Goat begins the book by telling us, "Things are a lot different around here since that Unicorn moved in. I thought I was pretty cool when I rode my bike to school. Until that show-off went flying by!" Unicorn, the shiny newcomer, seems to be better at everything, and when Goat's admiring chorus of five small creatures shifts its allegiance to the sparkling, magical Unicorn, Goat gets really, really angry. Just when you think you know where this is headed, Shea swerves from the predictable path with some age-appropriate silliness involving Unicorn's jealousy of Goat's goat-cheese pizza. By the end of the book Goat and Unicorn have become buddies with complementary skill sets. Shea's cartoon illustrations use a bright and varied palette and employ his signature minimalist style, while exaggerated facial expressions emphasize the difference between the central characters: Goat's matter-of-fact grumpiness and Unicorn's wide-eyed sparkliness. To emphasize their differences further, Goat's narrative is shown in an old-fashioned typewriter font, while Unicorn gets a curvy sans serif in various colors. Shea's honest portrayal of negative emotions mixed with offbeat comedy should make this a winner.
Papa's Mechanical Fish by Candace Fleming
Young Virena, one of four children, provides inspiration for her aspiring inventor papa's latest ambitious construction: a submarine. Fleming bases her tale on the true story of Civil War--era inventor Lodner Phillips, who tried his hand at submarine design on the shores of Lake Michigan. In Fleming's lively, enthusiastic account, Papa builds three increasingly large and more complicated underwater vehicles, each of which sinks, with Papa emerging cheerfully, if damply, ready for the next round. As Virena muses on the nature of marine life, providing Papa with ideas for improvements, the baby interjects disarmingly funny comments: "No pee pee!" chortles the baby when Virena asks how fish stay dry. The Whitefish IV has room for everyone, and Papa puts his entire family into the contraption--somehow the cheerful presentation keeps readers from worrying about the outcome. Kulikov's expansive, comical illustrations offer exaggerated perspectives from above and below the deep blue-green water, huge and beautiful fish just under the surface and a loving family for the determined inventor. Blueprints for each version of the mechanical fish are included--a neat glimpse into the invention process--while the peculiarly human expressions on the family bulldog remind readers that this is a fantasy. An author's note and an extensive list of adult resources give background information about the real Lodner Phillips. A humorous tribute to the zany, determined and innovative side of invention.